Thitipong Warokorn to replace injured Sofuoglu
Saturday, 4 March 2017 15:33 GMT
Local rider will join Kyle Ryde for the Thailand Round
Thai fans will have the chance to cheer on a local rider in the FIM Superport World Championship in Round 2 of the championship, at the MOTUL Thai Round next week. As Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is recovering from his injury sustained over the winter, Thitipong Warokorn will step in to replace the No.1 shod rider in front of his home fans.
Reigning World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu was forced to pull out of the opening round of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship on the Tuesday before the Phillip Island race, after the pain in his hand was too intense. Completing just over 30 laps around the relentless circuit, the Turkish rider made the decision to sit out of the opening rounds and flew home that evening. He will hope to return to action in the European round at MotorLand Aragon.
28 year old Thitipong Warokorn will race in front of his home fans in Thailand, and has a wealth of experience on the world stage. Spending over two seasons in the tough Moto2™ championship from 2013-2015, Warokorn is used to tough racing in a 600cc series. This WorldSSP appearance comes with the Thai rider signing with Kawasaki for 2017, competing in the Thai Superbike Championship, a series he won back in 2010 and 2011. Hoping to impress at the Chang International Circuit, he will have the best possible support team behind him.
Thitipong Warokorn, stated: “This WorldSSP Buriram round will be my first race under the umbrella of Kawasaki, as I will compete in the Thailand Superbike Championship with the Ninja ZX-10R in 2017. It is so lucky for me to get this big opportunity in the official WorldSSP team on the Ninja ZX-6R at Buriram. This is my home circuit and I know it well.”
